Rochester, NY: May 1, 2020 at age 64, after a heart attack at home on April 27th.
Predeceased by his parents, Bernard J Sturtevant and June Sturtevant.
Survived by his loving wife, Maxine Sturtevant, her children, Caitlin (Matthew) Rose and David (Larisa) Ellison & grandchildren Wesley, Winnie & Evangeline.
Brothers David, James (Michele), Gregg, and Brian Sturtevant; sister, Claire (Gerry) Golden, several nieces and nephews; and special friend and work colleague, Lauren Miller.
Bernie loved his friends, boating & fishing on Lake Ontario, working in his yard, music of all kinds (especially Frank Zappa, the Rolling Stones and Neil Young), Bernie Sanders, Walter Payton and the Chicago Bears.
Bernie attended MCC and SUNY Brockport where he earned both his Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees in Public Administration.
Bernie worked for the City of Rochester Department of Environmental Services until his (too short) retirement in 2018.
Due to the current circumstances surrounding COVID-19, a celebration of Bernie’s life will be held at a later date.
Thinking of you both.
So much love to you, Maxine. Bernie was so wonderful and it’s so hard to know he left too soon. Xo
Thx Lauren!!! xoxoxMax
Max, I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Bernie. Roger and I enjoyed his company when we visited you in Rochester. Sending our love to you and your family and the strength to get through these hard time.
Karen and Roger Elem
Thx so much Karen & Roger!! XOXOMax
So sorry for your liss Maxine
Thanks so much Bob!! XOXOMax
Maxine: I didn’t know your husband, but he must have been wonderful because he loved you! My heart goes out to you at this time of loss. Know that I’m thinking of you.
Thanks so much MJ!!! XOXOMax
Thinking of you Max, and wishing you comfort during this difficult time. I am very sorry for your loss and hope we can see each other soon.
Max, our hearts are broken over the loss of Bernie! We send our love and prayers to you during this difficult time.
Thanks so much Donna!! XOXOMax
Maxine, I’m sure you know I knew Bernie and his family from a long time ago. Their ‘crazy’ older brother (well, one of them)! Way back, I remember among other things Bernie drove for Northside Surgical when my mom was working there. What a trip it’s been since then! I’ll say what I said to Jim also, Bernie was a strong character, and funny as heck with a unique zest for life. Gone way too soon, I’m so sorry he’s gone, and for you and the whole family. Bernie will be missed for sure. Hoping to see you again soon on one of our next “pit stops” when musicals are a thing again. Take care of yourself during this time, too.
Thx so much, Todd! Hope you & your fam. are all well in this crazy time! XOXOMax
I used to work with Bernie at the city, I’m so very sorry. Please accept my condolences 🙁
Thank you so much Tara! XOXOMax
My deepest sympathies to you, Maxine. Bernie and was a lover, not a fighter but you know that. He loved you and his family. deeply. Please know I am praying for you and if you need anything I am right around the corner. I’m glad the last memory I have of Bernie is him calling my name as he rode wildly by on his new bicycle a week and a half ago. It makes me smile to remember those long legs of his, free and pedaling as fast as he could go.
Love
Gretchen
Thx so much Gretchen!!! Your poem about Bernie & his bike ride was so sweet!!
XOXOMax
Dear Max,
I am so so sorry for your loss. He sounds like such a great guy that loved you lots. This is a terribly hard time for you, especially with the current constraints on us.
I am wrapping you in a virtual hug. I am in the same club and it sucks….
Love you,
Anne Gallagher Clark
Hi Annie!! I hope you are well, and I so appreciate your condolence!! Hope to see you one day soon!
XOXOMax
Maxine, I’m so sorry for the loss of Bernie. Our prayers are with you.
Bernie, It was an honor to call you my friend. You always made me laugh. Thank you for sharing your life with me.
I love you Good Buddy.
Fish on, Bernie, Fish on.
Hi Phil!! Thank you so much for your condolence, and I hope you and your family are well in these crazy days!
XOXOMax
Dear Maxine,
I am so sorry to hear of Bernie’s passing. I haven’t seen him since highschool but we remained friends on facebook. It was always a joy to see the love and happiness with your pictures together. ❤
RIP Bernie
Thanks so much for your message Cyndi! I hope you & your family are well in these crazy days.
XOXOMax
Dear Maxine:
Roger and Shari White are deeply saddened by the loss of Bernie. I (Roger) will always have fond memories of fishingwith Bernie. He will be sorelymissed by all.
Thank you so much Roger & Shari! I hope Bernie is fishing in some heavenly lake!!
XOXOMax
Dear Sturtevant Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very trying time in your lives. I worked with Bernie for a short while at the City of Rochester and knew him to be an incredibly smart, way too dedicated and valuable employee. His crazy sense of humor helped get us through some dark days. Lauren was his #1 fan. Although way too soon, he has now received his reward as I’m sure he is in Heaven where he belongs. Remember the many wonders that made up a man like Bernie to help get you through this trying time.
Thank you so much for your condolence Karon & Walt!! I hope Bernie is fishing in some heavenly lake, & I hope you and your family are well in these crazy times!!
XOXOMax
Maxine,
Sorry for your loss. I grew up and lived with Bernie many years ago. He was a great guy. I had a lot of good memories of our past. He had bought my Austin Healey from me and I would watch him fly by with it 😉
My wife also knew Bernie and happen to see it on facebook.
We once went to the Adirondack mountains and went fishing until the black flies ate us alive…..
Lots of memories……..
Gregg Gleba
Maxine,
Sorry for your loss. I grew up and lived with Bernie many years ago. He was a great guy. I had a lot of good memories of our past. He had bought my Austin Healey from me and I would watch him fly by with it 😉
My wife also knew Bernie and happen to see it on facebook.
We once went to the Adirondack mountains and went fishing until the black flies ate us alive…..
Lots of memories……..